Universal joint.



B. O. RHODES.

UNIVERSAL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED prov. 20, 1907 923 443 Patented June 1, 1909.

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BERT O. RHODES, Ola KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ()LOVIS V.

SALISBURY, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

UNIVERSAL JOINT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1, 1909.

Application filed November 20, 1907. Serial No. 408,032.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BERT O. RHODES, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Universal Joints, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in universal joints.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to )rovide an improved universal joint, whic i is capable of withstanding great strain and is very durable. Second, to rovide an improved universal joint in w ich the bearings are thoroughly protected from dust and dirt. Third, to provide an improved universal joint in which. the bearings are effectively lubricated, and the lubricant carried to the bearings by the revolution of the joint.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will de-initely appear from the detailed description to follow. Y

i accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearl illustrated in the accomanying drawing, orming a part of this speciacation, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved universal joint, it being shown attached to a pair of shafts to be coupled. Fig. 2 is a dctail longitudinal section, taken on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. 1, parts being shown in full lines to better show their form. Fig. 3 is a cross section, taken on a line corresponding to line 3 3 of Fig. .1, the cross being shown in full lines.

In the drawing,'the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines, and similar numerals of reference. refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, 1-1 represent the shafts to be. joined. The fork members 2 are provided with hollow shanks 3 adapted I to receive the ends of the shafts and withlii'ai'ii'igs 4 on their arms, th bearings being at rightanglesto the shafts;

The cross preferably consists of the members .3- and"6, 'thedn'iembcr 5 being formed wit h a com ral enlargement] and with reduced or shouldered ends and bearing portions between the ends and the central enlargement. The cross member 6 is arranged transversely through the central enlargement of the other member and is provided with reduced ends adapted to receive the reduced ends of the cross members. These rings are clamped upon the cross members by means of the screw bolts 10, or the like. The casing walls 11 are preferably formed integral with the rings 8, and are preferably tapered outwardly or conical in general form, as. clearly ap cars from the drawing. These casing wa is are provided with extensions 12 of flexible materialfwhich are secured to the edges of the walls by means of a suitable wire as 13, or the like, the walls. being grooved to receive the same. The flexible extensions 12 are also connected to the shanks of the forks, the shanks of the forks being preferably n'ovi'ded with annular ribs 14 having perip era] grooves therein in which the outer edges of the extensions are secured by means of suitable wires, as 15. This incloses the fork members and the cross,

so that they are thoroughly protected from' dust and dirt, and the casing also serves as a lubricant reee tncle. The flexible extensions for the wal s, when the joint is moved, serve to agitate the lubricant, so that it is effectively workcd'into the bearings. It is intended in practice that the casing be filled full of the lubricant, but, in the event that it is only partially filled, thelubricant-is carried to the bearing, owing to the shape of the casing. The casing is preferably provided with bearing surfaces 16 for the fork, so that v lateral movement thereof is prevented.

The bushings 7 are preferably clamped between the' central enlargement of the cross member 5 and these bearing surfaces, so that revolution of the bushings is prevented,

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thereby preventing wear thereon, and, in the event of'the bushings becoming worn, they can be readily replaced. The fork memhers are rigidly clamped together by my imroved arrangement, so that, while the 'orks move freely, the structure is. rigid and strong. The parts can be assembled so.' that there is no unnecessary looseness, or play of the parts upon each other, which is obviously very objectionable in a structure of this class. A furtheradvantage of thus connecting and supporting the members is that they may be comparatively light and still possess great strength, owing to their bein efiectively su ported or braced. i I have illustrater and described my im proved universal joint in detail in the form preferred by me on account of its structural simplicity and the convenience with which the parts may be assembled. I am, however, aware that it is capable of considercifically, as illustrated, as well as broadly.

able variation in structural,detail without I departing from my invention, and I desire l to be understood as claiming the same spe Having thus described my invention,'what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a universal joint, the combination with shafts to be-jolned, of fork members having shanks adapted to receive said shafts and hearings in their arms at right anglesto the shafts; a cross, comprising a member having a central enlargement and shoul-' dered ends and bearing portions at each side of said central enlargement and a second cross member arranged transversely through said central enlargement having shouldered ends and bearing portions at each side of said central enlargement; -a casing com rising a pair of rings having seats therein 5 apted to receive the shouldered ends of said cross members and easing walls, said casing being provided with hearing surfacesfor said fork members, vwhereby their lateral movement is prevented flexible extensions forsaidca'sing walls connected thereto and to the shanks of said forks; and bushings for bearing portions of said cross members clamped between-said central enlargement thereof and said bearingsurfaces of said cas- 2. In auniversal joint, the combination with shafts to be joined, of .fork members central enlargement havingshouldered ends having shanks adapted to receive said shafts 3 and bearings in their arms at'right angles to the shafts; a cross, comprising a member having a central enlargement and shouldered ends and bearing portions at each side of said central enlargement and a second cross member arranged transversely throughsaid and bearing portions at each side of said cen-.

. tral enlargement; 'a casing comprising a pair 1 of rings'having sqats therein adapted to receive the shouldered ends of said cross memwith shafts to be joined, of fork members havi shanks adapted to receive said sha ts and bearings in their arms at right angles to the shafts; a cross, comprising a member having a central enlargement and shouldered ends and bearing portions at each side of said central enlargement and a second cross member arranged transversely through said central enlargement having shouldered ends and bearing portions at each side of said central enlargement; a casing comprising a pair of rings having seats therein adapted to receive the shouldered ends of said cross members arid casing walls; and flexible extensions for said casing walls connected thereto-and to the shanks of said forks.

4. In a universal joint, the combination with shafts to be joined, of fork members having shanks adapted to receive said shafts and hearings in their arms at right angles to the shafts; a cross, comprising a member I having a central" enlargement and shouling. I

5. In a universal joint, the combination with shafts to be omed, of fork members having shanks adapted to receive said shaftsand hearings in their arms at right angles to the shafts a cross, comprising member having a central enlargement and shouldered.

ends and bearing portions at each side of said central enlargement and a second cross member arranged transversel through said central enlargement having s ouldered ends and bearing portions at each side of said central enlargement; and a pair of'ri s having seats therein adapted to. receive t e shoul 1 dered ends of sald cross members, said rings being provided with bearing surfaces for the shouldered ends of said cross members and for said fork members, whereby their lateral movement is prevented.

6. In a universal joint, the combination with shafts to be joined, of fork members to the said for members.

central enlargement and a second cross member arranged transversely through said cen tral enlargement having shouldered ends and.

bearing portions at each side of said central enlargement,- andapairof rin shavin seats therein adapted to receive tie -shou dered ends of sai cross members, the shouldered ends of said cross members being'adapted to bear against the ring whereby the lateral movement of the cross, and the fork members relative to each other is prevented.

, 7. In a universal joint, the combination wit h fork members, of a cross; a casin comprising a pair of rings having seats-t erein adapted to'freceive theends of thecross and outwardly-tapered casing walls, said casino being provided with bearing surfaces for sai fork members, whereby their lateral movemont is prevented" and flexible extensions for said casin walls connected thereto and 8. In a universal joint, the combination with fork members, of a cross; a casin comprising a pair of rings havin seats therein adapted to receive the ends 0 the cross and outwardly-tapered casing walls; and flexible extensions for said casing walls connect-v ed thereto and to the said fork members.

9. In anniversal joint, the combination a casing arranged to inclose saidfork members and cross secured to the ends-of the cross, said casing being taperedloutwardly, and bein provided with bearing surfaces for said for members, whereby their lateral movement is prevented;-and flexible extensions for edges thereo said casing connected thereto and to the said fork members. v

10. In a universal joint, the combination with fork members,oi a cross; a casing arranged to inclose' cross secured to the ends of the cross, said arising being tapered outwardly; and flexie thereto and to the said fork members.

11. In a universal joint, the combination with the fork members, of a cross; and an 'inclosing casing for said fork members and cross comprising a body portion havindg unyielding walls secured to said cross a'n ecting outwardli; at each side thereo to embrace "said for s, and flexible extensions for said bod \portlon secured to the outer i and to said forkssaid flexible extensions being deflected inwardl ihso that the extend withinthe outer edges of said b0 yportion,

12. In auniversal joint, the combination with the fork members inclosing casing for said fork members and cross, comprising a body portion havin unyielding walls carried byfsaid cross an r0 ecting 'out'wardl at each side theme to embrace said for s, and flexible portions secured tosa' body portion at its outer edges and-to sai 'forks, to receive a lubricant whereb ment of said joint, said flexili i flexed, thereby agitating the lubricant Within the casing.

In witnesswhereof, I have hereunto set my. hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses. 4

' BERT O. RHODES. I [1,. a Witnesses:

LUELLA G. GREENFIELD, CLoRA E. BRADEN.

said fork members and extensions for said casing connected of across and an 

